The Perks of Double Majoring
Many students choose to bolster their credentials by combining their philosophy major with a major in another subject. For any given field, there are important philosophical questions worth answering. In addition to the important skills that the study of philosophy helps students develop, philosophers ask questions that bear directly upon all other fields of study.
Majoring in biology, physics, chemistry, or another science? Here are just some of the important questions in philosophy that you'll grapple with:
- What is science?
- Why trust the scientific method?
- How do scientific theories change?
Majoring in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, or computer science? Here are just some of the important questions in philosophy that you'll grapple with:
- What is a mind?
- How do mental states represent?
- Is consciousness physical?
Majoring in political science, anthropology, sociology, or a related discipline? Here are just some of the important questions in philosophy that you'll grapple with:
- What is justice?
- How should we organize a society?
- How do we treat humans as equals?
These are only some of the questions that those majoring in other fields can benefit from addressing in a rigorous and methodical way. Should you choose to pursue a double major, you'll be sure to reap the rewards once you hit the job market. You'll also have a more intimate understanding of the subject you've chosen.
Getting the Double Major
The most common way of earning a double major in philosophy is to obtain a single undergraduate degree with two majors. However, it is also possible to obtain two separate degrees, each with its own major. A brief overview of what each scenario requires is provided below.
Students may obtain a B.A. with two majors within the College of Arts and Sciences by completing all requirements for the B.A., including the language requirement, and all of the major requirements for each subject area. Students may select a primary major that leads to a B.S. degree within the College of Arts and Sciences. In this case, Philosophy would be added as a second major without obtaining a B.A. degree. All Arts and Sciences degree requirements for the B.S. must be completed in addition to all of the major requirements for both subject areas.
Students may obtain a degree in another college at UNO, adding philosophy as a second major without also obtaining a B.A. All degree requirements for the other college must be completed, including any requirements for another major or specialization within that College in addition to the major requirements for philosophy. For example, a student might earn a B.S. in Business Administration with a specialization in Management while adding a double major by taking 33 credit hours in Philosophy.
Students may obtain two separate degrees, either within the same college or in two different colleges. The requirements for both degrees must be completed (including the B.A. and language requirements in Arts and Sciences) as well as the requirements for both majors. This option generally requires the most additional coursework, so it is pursued less frequently than the other routes to a double major.